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Eredivisie: Ajax expected to clinch title and relegate Willem II

Former Ajax midfielder Theo Janssen has hailed the Amsterdammers as they prepare for an Eredivisie title party.

Last Updated: 05/05/13 1:31pm

Ajax: Expected to clinch Eredivisie title at weekend

Victory for Frank De Boer's side on Sunday would clinch a third title in a row while also condemning Willem II to relegation.

After losing Jan Vertonghen, Vurnon Anita and Gregory van der Wiel last summer, Ajax were expected to find life tougher, and PSV Eindhoven were installed as favourites.

But Ajax's four-point lead over PSV means the title race is all but over, which is no surprise to Janssen, who left the Amsterdam Arena at the start of this season to return to home club Vitesse Arnhem - the team responsible for both Ajax's league defeats.

The midfielder departed after being told by De Boer that he would not be first choice but he has nothing but praise for the Ajax manager.

Janssen told De Telegraaf: "I have long ago established that Ajax would be champions. They have been the most consistent. It says something that they have only lost twice this season, against us.

"Ajax have also played the best football and therefore they are the rightful champions.

"You can say what you want about De Boer, but it's amazing that Ajax with him, for the third season in a row, is the strongest in the final phase of the competition. That is no more a coincidence."

Below Ajax, there is still plenty to be decided, not least the second Champions League spot.

Free-scoring PSV are in pole position but are level on points with third-placed Feyenoord while Vitesse are only two points further back.

PSV host NEC Nijmegen on Sunday and Feyenoord are also up against a mid-table side in ADO Den Haag while Vitesse travel to RKC Waalwijk, who sit only one place above the relegation play-off places.

Vitesse midfielder Marco van Ginkel told the club's official website: "The season is not over. If we keep winning, we might still rise up the rankings.

"It is important to address this in the next game. If we are focused and go for it all together, we can win the three points we need in Waalwijk. But it will not be easy, because RKC are still playing against relegation."

Feyenoord are guaranteed to be in the top four while Vitesse, who are six points ahead of fifth-placed FC Twente, only need a point.

Twente travel to Heracles this weekend with FC Utrecht and Heerenveen in sixth and seventh meeting each other.

Groningen, who visit second bottom VVV-Venlo, are the other side likely to contest the Europa League play-offs as they have a five-point advantage over Heracles, ADO and NEC.

Roda JC currently sit one point behind RKC and will hope to climb out of the bottom two with a win over NAC Breda while AZ Alkmaar meet PEC Zwolle.